Project Guest Speak
Rau rangatira mā, e nga rangatahi o tēnei kura, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou, kia ora tātou katoa. Distinguished guests and students of the school, who are gathered here, warm greetings to you all. I specifically acknowledge: Paul McWilliam, Acting Headmaster; Carl Millard, Chair of the Parent Teacher Association; Graham Russell, President of the Old Boys’ Association; and Jake Miller, Senior Monitor.
Thank you for welcoming me to Christchurch Boys’ High School. I am here at Jake Miller’s invitation to address the school as part of “Project Guest Speak.”
I was both honoured and delighted to get Jake’s invitation. As Governor-General, I want to visit and meet as many New Zealanders, and especially young New Zealanders, as I can. I think there are some ideas we can share – through questions and comments. So the invitation to visit your school was timely.
If you read my “CV” it might seem extraordinary, and some of it is. However, behind each one of the things I’ve done has been hard work and some mistakes. As I’ve grown older there have been fewer mistakes, but still a lot of hard work.
When I think back to when I was at secondary school, I remember well the honest, accurate and blunt testimonial my principal wrote. He said I had found conforming to rules a challenge and that I hadn’t made the most of either my abilities or opportunities, and that much would depend on the goals I set for myself and the friends I kept.
As soon as I read it, I knew he was right. We know ourselves better than most. From it I figured that life is about having options and making good choices. We all make mistakes, and mistakes are an important part of learning so long as we don’t make the same mistake twice! Some people learn early on that life is about the goals they set. Others learn that it’s about the friends you keep. Goal setting is obvious and the sooner you do it the easier it is, and the more options you have to make informed choices.
With the friends you keep, it’s also about the choices you can make. Good friends will always be good friends whatever their background. Truly good friends accept you for what you are and what you want and can be. Good friends give you space; they don’t limit your options or dictate your choices.
Speaking specifically about Christchurch Boys’ High School, for almost 132 years, Boys’ High has sought to educate each boy to be “a fine young man.” Many Old Boys have achieved exactly that, and have become leaders in many different fields. They include writer and social reformer Rewi Alley; Māori politician, doctor and reformer Sir Maui Pomare; current Chief of the Navy Rear Admiral Jack Steer; businessmen; politicians; and a myriad of New Zealand representative sportsmen - All Blacks, Cricketers, All Whites, rowers and the list goes on!
What these Old Boys have demonstrated and held is, I believe, the example and values that emanate from your school motto: “Altiora Peto – I seek a higher calling.” Seeking a higher calling is a commitment to excellence and to being the best you can be.
In my case I joined the New Zealand Army as a soldier in 1972 when I was 17-and-a-half years old. When I left school I never dreamed I would reach the top of New Zealand’s Defence Force, let alone become Governor-General. I was, however, committed to my career in the Army, and ensuring that I had opportunities. Joining the New Zealand SAS, with its motto of “who dares wins” was something I did because they are the best at what they do, and I wanted to serve with the best.
While I had many amazing experiences during my time in the Army, one thing that was repeatedly drilled into us was that we had to be the best in everything we did. Second place isn’t a great place to be in battle!
Excellence cannot happen in a vacuum. True excellence is based on fundamental principles and core human values. Given the guidance of my parents, and my subsequent life in the Army, the values that resonate for me are those that the Defence Force holds—courage, comradeship, commitment and integrity. These values are similar to some of those that this school holds – commitment is easily aligned with active contribution; comradeship is about respecting and trusting your mates and inherent in leadership; and in both values sets integrity stands out.
Having integrity, being honest to yourself is the starting point for any relationship with someone else. Whether the relationship is between friends, between parents and their children, between teachers and their students or between businesses and customers, integrity, honesty and responsibility are essential.
Integrity means taking responsibility for all that you do. If you succeed, then celebrate. If you make mistakes, you need to own them, fix them, learn from them and move on.
As you move closer to the end of the first term, I hope that what I have shared with you today might give you some extra motivation and inspiration in your studies and extracurricular activities.
Thank you all for listening so attentively and I look forward to talking with some of you later today.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.